Former U.S. Rep. Mike Ross turned to a familiar face for his first television ad in his race for Arkansas governor.

Gov. Mike Beebe, who is term-limited and cannot run for re-election this year, urges voters to support fellow Democrat Ross in the 30-second ad that began airing statewide Sunday.

"I've had the privilege of knowing Mike for 25 years, and I've watched him work," Beebe said in the ad. "Mike Ross has the common-sense leadership style that will make our economy work for everyone. His commitment to our children and schools is unwavering. And no one is more independent than Mike. So please join me in supporting Mike Ross for governor."

The TV ad makes no mention of the three Republicans vying for their party's nomination for governor: former U.S. Rep. Asa Hutchinson, businessman Curtis Coleman and state Rep. Debra Hobbs. Beebe defeated Hutchinson in the 2006 election.

Ross has no announced opponent for the Democratic primary. Lt. Gov. Bill Halter had been in the race, but quit at the end of July.

At the time, Halter said he didn't want the party to go through a divisive primary and said "another strong candidate" was running. Campaign finance reports filed two weeks earlier showed Ross with a huge fundraising edge.

Candidates formally enter the race during the state's one-week filing period, which opens Feb. 24. The state's primary election this year is May 20.

"Arkansas has made tremendous progress under Governor Beebe — which is why he continues to be the most popular governor in America," Ross said in a statement Sunday. "I am very proud to have Governor Beebe's endorsement and his support for our campaign focused on Arkansas's future."

Ross campaign spokesman Brad Howard said the spot is a six-figure ad buy that will air over the next few weeks in multiple markets statewide.

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel exited the Democratic race last January over questions about an admitted extramarital affair.